Chapter 130

The pang of nerves hits me in the stomach like a kick again, and that little shiver of anticipation that this is a bad idea. Arrick, as always, in tune with me, senses the change and the crease of concern hits that perfect brow.

“What’s wrong?” He catches my chin and turns my nose to his, a hair’s breadth apart so he can study my face and try and work out why I am being cagey. “What is it?” He looks immediately worried, and I kiss his nose, untangling from him with a breezy smile that’s supposed to lighten the tension, but I can’t hold it for long. Walking to the counter, I pick up the letter, bring it back, and hand it to him. My brow creased in sheer uncertainty. I can’t even formulate what I need to say, and I know the letter will do it so much better. My hands are clammy, and my heart is pounding through my chest as faint fear gets me in the gut.

He takes the letter silently, looking from my face to the paper with deadpan cool. He unfolds it and reads carefully, eyes